Author Visits to Primary Schools and Libraries
Natalie Fleming - Our Lady & St Anselms
Damian was absolutely fabulous with the children! Right from the start, he captivated all year groups and kept them motivated throughout. By using humour with his stories, the children continually had smiles on their faces and loved the characters they created in the writing workshops!
Deborah McGonigle
St Anne's Primary School - Worksop
Absolutely brilliant! A natural story teller and a hit with teachers and pupils alike. Would highly recommend him.
These sessions consist of a lively mixture of storytelling and chat, suitably adapted for
children from Reception to Year 6.
They work well with single classes or larger groups.
As well as sharing stories and poems, I talk about different aspects of writing. From getting ideas to what it's like being an author.
Audiences get the chance to see books and stories in progress and get an idea of what goes into making a children's book - the drafting, editing, and even the illustrations and layout.
These sessions aren't rigidly planned so it allows each one to be unique to the group I'm working with and ensures the children get as much from the sessions as possible. Children (and adults) always have lots of questions to ask and I'm more than happy to answer any and all of them. I find that this helps to shape the way sessions progress, making each one different and personal.
Length of session - Approx 30-40 mins for Reception, 45 mins KS1, 60 mins for KS2.
Materials - A Table/Desk (to display books and work from).
Location - The School Hall, Library or Suitable Classroom.
Length of Session -1 Hour Minimum - but I'm more than happy to work with a class/group for half days, full days or over a longer period of time for bigger projects.
Materials - Ideally I like to be able to use an interactive white board but a flip chart and pens can be used as an alternative.
Number of Children - Preferably Normal Class Size but I am flexible and can work with larger groups.
In these sessions I generally work with a group to build up a story from scratch - this means that the children have complete ownership of it and really feel they have created something.
Please email or call me for details of fees and availability. Discounts can be offered for multiple days and travel costs etc can be shared with other local schools.
Jenny Boyle
Sandilands Primary School - Manchester
Thank you for empowering children's love of reading. The children thoroughly enjoyed the event and have planned projects in class inspired by the day. Highly recommended.
I love to visit Primary Schools and Libraries to share my love of books, reading and writing.
My visits are lively and interactive and are designed to get children excited about books, reading and writing.
My sessions can be performance or writing based (or a mixture of both).
It's completely up to you...
In these sessions I generally work with a class to create characters and build up a story idea that they can then work on themselves - either while I'm there or afterwards. It gives the children insight into what goes into creating a story from scratch, and some techniques they can use themselves later.
I can focus on different aspects of story writing (and non-fiction), and am more than happy to tie in with different topics that you are covering in school e.g.
Traditional Tales, Twists in the Tale, Stories with Historical Settings, Greek Myths, Environmental Issues, Dinosaurs, Vikings, Space etc.
Just let me know...
Alison Barrett
Kingshott School Pre-Prep, Hitchen, Herts
Fantastic in all aspects. Thank you Damian, all our pupils enjoyed your assembly and workshops. Staff very impressed too.
